Separable fastener



AP 20, 1943- s. D. GouLD SEPARABLE FASTENER y Filed Sept. 15, 1941 lNvENToR Vl'IlIIIIIIl/lllllllllll Patented Apr. 20, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,316,787 SEPARABLE FAs'rENEa Sheldon iD. Gould, Brooklyn, N. Y. Applicatibn september v13, 1941, serial No. 410,700

Claims.

This invention relatesl to slide operated fasteners of the type incorporating interlocking fastener elements.

The increasing use of slide operated fasteners on garments, has caused a search for means to either enhance the appearance of such fasteners or to conceal them.. The former trend is, -of course, toward a more costly product, while the latter, although attempted, has not achieved commercial recognition because of faulty design and conception.

Covered fasteners of the indicated type have many advantages over the uncovered fasteners. Body hair, loose underclothes, neckties, etc. may not become caught between the fastener elements during manipulation of the slide. This fouling of the fastener has frequently caused destruction of both the fabric so caught and the fastener itself.

Further, exposed fastener elements must necessarily be made of non-oxidizing metal and must be smoothly finished to present a good appearance and have good wearing qualities. Frequently, the elements are made of plastics in an attempt to both match the garment fabric and to obtain the mentioned proper appearance.

With the foregoing in mind, the present invention contemplates an improved slide operated fastener in which the fastener elements are conipletely covered and thereby permitting the use of inexpensively formed fastener elements.

The invention further contemplates a slide operated fastener in which both sides of the fastener elements are covered and in which the covering means are easily and inexpensively applied with a minimum of sewing. The foregoing objects, features and advantages of the invention are realized in the structures -which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing which forms the basis for the following detailed specification. In the drawing, which exemplifies the invention:

Fig. 1- is a front view, partly broken away, of

a fastener incorporating the invention.

Figs. 2 to 6, inclusiva-are cross-sectional views stringers or tapes 5 and 6. In preceding structures these stringers were each formed with an edge bead and the fastener elements directly clamped upon said edge beads. In accordance with the present invention, the edge beads or cords 'I and 8 of the respective stringers 5 and 6, are completely covered by the middle longitudinal portions 9 and I0 of concealing strips II and I2. These encompassing middle portions may be sewed to their respective stringers as shown in the other illustrated forms of the invention, However, as shown in Fig. 7, the fastener elements I5 and IS may be so formed as to clamp over the portions 9 and I0 of the respective concealing s trips I I and I2 and thereby eiectively lock said strips to their respective stringers. The concealing strips II and I2 are thus provided with free flap portions which are reversely directed to overlie the fastener elements I5 and I6. The concealing ap portions are disposed `at both sides of the fastener and are designated Il and I8 on one side and I9 and 20 on the other.

It will be noted from the above that the respective pairs of concealing flaps touch each other to effect complete concealment of the elements I5 and I6 to accomplish the purpose of the invention. In order `to hold the concealing aps `in place against the fastener elements, it is preferred to stitch them into place as by means of the lines of stitching I3 and I4. Each line of said stitching is arranged to engage theopposite flaps of the same concealing strip vand to pass between the related fastener elements as indicated in Fig. 1; These lines of stitching are, of course, placed so that they do not interfere with the interlocking engagement of the fastener elements.

The slider 2I is designed to fit over the flaps and to urge the elements into and out of interthe fastener is provided in the usual manner with locking engagement by contact which is transmitted through the folds in the concealing strips II'and I2. y

The construction of Fig. 7 may be varied in many ways within the concept of the invention. As shown in Fig. 2, the concealing strip 25 may be arranged in folded condition over one longitudinal edge of the Stringer 6 and cords 2B applied to each side as shown. This ,assembly is then held in place as bystitching 21. The fastener elements 28 are so formed as to engage over both cords 26 which serve as effective keying means therefor. As previously described, the concealing strip is provided with concealing flaps 2l for both sides of the elements 2l. The cords 26 may, of course, be placed directly against the Y Stringer i and the concealing strip placed thereover. This condition is shown in Fig. 3. The line of .stitching I4 may then be applied tohold.

' the Aflaps against the fastener elements.

'If desired, as shown in Eig. 4, the concealing flaps 3Q may be formed on strips 3| which have embedded cords 32 and which are applied to both faces of the stringer l. The elements I3 Certain of the above structures may be combned.

For instance, as shown in Fig. 6 the stringer 35 of Fig. 5 may be combined with the tape 3l of Fig. 4 and the fastener element 4l appliedV as before.

In each of the forms of the invention above described, concealing flaps on both sides of the vention may be practiced. in many ways within the spirit and scope thereof as claimed. The

various` structureswhich are illustrated are in, tended as by way of example and the language i employed in the specincation is not intended to limit the scope of said claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by v Letters Patent, is:

1. A slide operated fastener comprising a supporting tape, a cord disposed adjacent a longitudinal edge of said tape, concealing means comprising a strip foldedover said cord and the adjacent portion of said tape and a single line of.

stitching securing said concealing means to said tape to provide a pair of concealing naps, said jilaps comprising laterally opposed portions of fastener elements are provided and means for securely anchoring said elements are incorporated in said structures. It will be noted that a sturdy, long-wearing structure is formed wherein the fastener elements may serve to lock 'the concealing strip or a concealed line of stitchingemployed fol this purpose. .Y

In keeping with the purposes of the invention in providing a neat, concealed fastener, the

closed end thereof may be provided with a placket 4I which is substantially lJ-shaped and has doubled back bifurcated leg portions 4I engaged behind the beads such as 9, l0, Il, Il. etc. 'Ihe concealing ilaps also cover this placket which is thus rendered invisible to the observer.

At the other end of the fastener there may be provided the usual end abutment stop member. Where separation of the fastener ends is desired, the structure shown in Figs. 1 and 8 may be employed. As shown in these figures, a bottom stop 41 may be permanently clamped over the co'ncealing strip l, the concealing flaps i1 and I9, and a.- hollow pin 44. The slider 2| abuts this end stop to prevent dis'association thereof from the fastener. `The stop member 4l is formed with a seat for receiving the pin 45 ofthe other fastener tape, said seat being formed sufficiently large to accommodate the concealing naps fl and 2l which cover said pin 4l. This arrangement makes for easy manipulation of the parts at'this point and itfwill vbei-'noted that the concealing said concealing means.

2. A slide operated fastener comprising asupporting tape, a strip folded over one longitudinal edge of said tape and secured in'said folded condition by a single line of stitching to said tape, 'a plurality of fastener elements clamped tothe fold of said strip,f lateral longitudinal extensionsl on said folded strip and beyond said line of stitching, said extensions being folded along `said line of stitching to form concealing` flaps for said fastener elements, and a line: of stitching engaging both concealing flaps ,and passing between the fastener elements therebetween.

' 3. A slide operated fastener comprising a supporting tape, a strip folded over one longitudinal edge of said tape, a pairof cords one on each.

side of said folded strip. a single line of stitching ksecuring said tape, folded strip, and cords together, a plurality of fastener elements engaged with said cords and sa'id folded strip and clamped thereon, and opposed flaps integrally formed on said strip, said vflaps being folded along said line flaps overlie and conceal the pins 44 and 45.

It is obvious from the foregoing that the inof stitching to form concealing means for said fastener elements, and a line of stitching engaging both concealing flaps and passing between the fastener elements therebetwen.

4. A stringer for slide fastener elements v'comprising a tape. a strip folded over one longitudinal edge 'of said tape and stitched thereto. said strip having integrally formed oppom flaps arranged to1 conceal fastener elements mounted on said stringer.-

5. A slide operated fastener comprising a pair of stringer tapes. a concealing strip mounted on the inner longitudinal edge of each tape. a plurality of fastener elements engaged with said strips and mounted on said tapes, top and bottom stops onjsaid fastener, and concealing means for said elements and said top and bottom stops, said concealing means comprising lateral folded portionavof each concealing strip: 'Y

' snELnoN n. Gouw.' 

